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Post by FlexibleFeline on Apr 30, 2024 5:37:23 GMT
Really does depend on budget. I personally would not go less than about 300 quid new unless it was something I wanted to tinker with. It depends how likely you are to get past messing about for a few weeks against it being a hobby you stick with I guess. In the Squier bracket, the Classic Vibes are generally the best and will be punching towards the old Mexican standards in quality (although I think they have dropped off a bit since the heady days people talked them up as Fender killers). The below would be a banging guitar if your budget would stretch to it. Both Squier and Epiphone have moved away from rosewood fingerboards and tend to use Indian Laurel - it can be a crapshoot whether that wood looks good or not, and I’ve had a Squier CV bass with a fretboard that was basically grey. But - you can’t go wrong with varnished blonde maple! If you get the bug get a more traditional Tele for your next one. www.andertons.co.uk/brands/squier/squier-telecaster-guitars/squier-classic-vibe-70s-telecaster-thinline-maple-fingerboard-naturalI’d start with something like a Fender micro amp with headphones and then if you are ready for amps a Boss Katana 50 would sort you out for bedroom needs. That CV thinline literally makes me salivate. It looks gorgeous and plays very nicely too - I've tried one but just cannot justify buying another tele or, really, guitar of any sort. Including this beauty not that I need another guitar with WR humbuckers. RE: amps, the Katana 50 is a good shout. I'd like to put a good word in for the Catalyst 60 too. While the world is going to shit in most ways, let's take our wins where we can: we are really spoiled right now by the quality of digital modelling available at affordable prices. It wasn't that long ago that it sounded like crap. Huge range of gain options, and a beautiful base clean tone for those who want a platform for pedals. Add its two channels, functionality as an interface (plus free software), attenuation options, range of in-built Helix effects and its price point and it represents incredible, if not insane, value.
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Post by quadfather on Apr 30, 2024 5:38:15 GMT
@ekz thanks! They were cheap and I measured up and just thought, fuck it, I'll just make them fit!
Though the finishing touches have to be the Knight on the left and the giraffes on the right. Those giraffes are made to measure!
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drakesmoke
Junior Member
The simple things in life are all complicated
Posts: 1,745
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Post by drakesmoke on May 6, 2024 14:36:11 GMT
Speaking of Teles…just discovered the American Ultra which replaces the Elite. I should hate it, but it’s totally got under my skin.
I’d have to sell three guitars to justify it and would likely still be financing a good chunk depending on what I got for them.
1. Epi Firebird (the good, ‘Inspired By Gibson’ one). It’s cool AF but is that big in the case I almost never get it out. Still, I always wanted one.
2. Vintera 70s Tele (with faux WRHB in the neck). A really great guitar, that has upgraded wiring and a non-standard phase split, but I’d have to shed a Tele to justify and my Baja goes nowhere.
3. Epi 56 Gold Top Standard (double P90s). Again I love this guitar - I’ve upgraded both the guts have all been upgraded as has the bridge. But I have a JJN Les Paul and a Gibson Standard.
Would I regret it? I’d still have a decent number of guitars left.
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drakesmoke
Junior Member
The simple things in life are all complicated
Posts: 1,745
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Post by drakesmoke on May 9, 2024 15:47:24 GMT
Well I don’t think anybody was bothered lol but I binned off the above idea and instead I’ve ordered a Princeton Tonemaster.
I already use a DR Tonemaster for my band, but it typically lives under the stairs in its sleeve loaded with stuff in the cab so realistically does not get used in the house.
This will live upstairs and hopefully encourage me to pick up my guitars for pleasure more often, instead of just for the band. I will report back when I’ve had a bit of use out of it after a week, although having prior experience with the DR version I already rate these amps.
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Post by elstoof on May 9, 2024 16:00:32 GMT
Wise choice
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drakesmoke
Junior Member
The simple things in life are all complicated
Posts: 1,745
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Post by drakesmoke on May 10, 2024 14:48:02 GMT
Well I haven’t tried my pedalboard through it yet but so far the TM Princeton arrived today and is smashing it out of the park. On the lowest wattage (faux) attenuation, it’s much more manageable for house volume than the Deluxe Reverb version. Have run my more placid Strat and my 335 through it and it sounds like the characteristics of those guitars, perfectly. It’s got a different thing going to the Deluxe, snappier and more direct, but not ‘boxy’ like the Blues Jr I used to have was.
As a ‘naked’/straight-in amp this is one of the nicest things I’ve ever played.
I love it.
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Post by Red_Bool on May 11, 2024 14:29:23 GMT
After owning a Dean Evo XM for 14 years (and not doing nearly enough with it), this year I've finally started putting in some more serious practice. To reward myself for sticking with it I bought myself a Harley Benton CST24T (Thomann.de house-brand) It's a PRS knock-off, but at less than a third of the price of a real PRS and it looks absolutely stunning (Ocean Flame, a greenish blue). It even played great right out of the box (to me at least). I've always wanted a PRS, but given my "level" of playing I could never justify to myself (or my wife ) to buy one. I'm amazed by the quality of such a "cheap" guitar. And then I also bought a Nux Mighty Plug Pro headphone practice amp, which is brilliant for "silent" practice.
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Post by elstoof on May 11, 2024 17:23:16 GMT
They're unbelievable value those Harley Bentons, enjoy
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